PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The morning wind roared and alone was cause for alarm, even before it pushed a massive firestorm toward destruction on an unprecedented level.
The devastating blaze that ripped through the striking Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, starting Jan. 7 of last year, was driven by a Santa Ana wind event with gusts of up to 80 mph that equated to a Category 1 hurricane.
The blaze chewed its way downhill through homes, schools, churches and businesses with torch-like intensity at times. It literally rose from the ashes of a prior fire that was believed to have been extinguished, raced in from the Santa Monica Mountains, toward the Pacific Ocean and then up scenic Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu.
When it finally was contained after three weeks, it was labeled the most destructive in Los Angeles history. And yet the assessment does not properly articulate the literal and emotional damage that was done.
This week, a bit of normalcy returns to the area. Riviera Country Club will welcome many of the top golfers in the world to the Genesis Invitational, which was moved to San Diego a year ago in the fire’s aftermath.